Entry Hall
With an arrangement of antique Chinese and Japanese porcelain and English-style furniture, the entry hall is an inviting ode
to eclectic English design and designer Joe Minton’s classic aesthetic. “I love old blue-and-white porcelain,” says Minton
of Joseph Minton Interior Design. “It goes with a completely neutral scene, as in the entry, but it also mixes so well with
any colors you might use.”
Library
For the first-floor rooms, Minton let his choice of Persian rugs drive the warm color palette of reds, golds, and greens.
Here, the blend of patterns and wood-paneled walls create an environment that seems destined for relaxing with a scotch on
the rocks and a classic book.
Living Room
From the Siamese figures flanking the center archway to the tomato-colored French chairs, the living room reflects the layered
look typical of English design. “The British brought back many different cultural influences from their colonies, so we didn’t
just stick to one type of furniture or style,” says Minton. “We created a look that made it possible to easily move a piece
of furniture from one room to another.”
Dining Room
A custom-colored, silk chinoiserie wallpaper provides a beautifully bold backdrop for English antiques. A matching green glaze
blends the woodwork with the papered walls, and the silver leaf ceiling reflects the colors in both. Striped silk slipcovers
balance the room’s formality. “I like the casualness of slipcovers,” says Minton. “You could have silk coverings for the summer
and a red wool underneath for the winter.”
English Country
Exposed wooden ceiling beams, slatelike granite countertops, and industrial-style stools with butcher-block seats create charm
in the English country–style kitchen. The expansive island provides plenty of space to cook and gather.
Breakfast Room
Chairs and benches of differing styles gather around the English refectory table, giving a casual, collected feel that invites
intimacy and relaxation. Minton united the camelback sofa, upholstered chairs, and draperies with a cheery crewel fabric.
“The effect is much softer than if we had used a pattern for some and a solid color for others,” he says.
Master Bedroom
With a nod to 1930s Art Deco glamour, Minton used a cool palette of pastels in the master bedroom. The simplicity of the canopy-style
bed frame and its dressing lends a modern feel, and the pearlized woodwork reflects additional light throughout the room.
“It just glows,” says Minton.
Master Bathroom
White walls pair with sleek, intricately patterned marble and cabinetry to create the “epitome of elegant English bathroom
design,” says builder Trey Laird of Period Homes, Inc. Mirrors mimicking windows on either side of the bathtub infuse the
space with extra light.
Conservatory
“I wanted the conservatory to look old―to have an inviting feeling of age,” says Minton. To achieve the look, he used all
antique pieces and upholstered the chairs with worn, vintage fabrics. Even the mirrored wall, which visually doubles the jewel
box–size room, is made of antique blocks imported from Italy.
Office
As a small space adorned with two walls of cabinets, the office provides the ideal setting to showcase a black-and-cream toile.
A busy pattern works well in a small room, says Minton, and here, the wallpaper envelops the office without overpowering it.
Wet Bar
Black Venetian plaster covers the walls and ceiling of the wet bar, adding texture and a slatelike appearance that contrasts
with the oak cabinets. The backsplash of handcrafted white-gold-leaf glass tiles adds a bit of reflective shimmer, perfect
for shaking up a cocktail or two.
Powder Room
Minton likes to choose special pieces to elevate powder rooms, such as the 19th-century French mirror, Gothic-patterned cabinet,
and framed Chinese needlepoint used here. For a seamless look, he chose a gold Italian linen for the walls, curtains, and
hand towels.
Loggia
Wanting to create an outdoor space that reflected the livability and style of the interiors, Minton covered a collection of
sofas, wing chairs, and benches with outdoor fabrics. The portières allow for summery poolside views when open and help keep
out winter’s chill when drawn, extending the seasonal use of the space. “Texas weather allows for lots of outdoor living in
the colder months,” says Minton, a Fort Worth native.
Pergola
Laird designed the oak pergola to mimic the post-and-beam detailing of the home’s exterior architecture. “We already had the
covered loggia, so instead of doing a surrey roof, I wanted to do something very different,” he says. Minton chose an organic,
modern design reminiscent of pruned shrubs for the table and chairs inside.
Boy's Bedroom
To establish a tentlike effect for the boy’s room, Minton covered both walls and ceiling with a red-striped fabric. He added
British campaign-style furniture and framed antique prints of European soldiers for a design that appeals to adventurous spirits.
Boy's Bathroom
Mounted animal horns and zebra-print towels bring a safari sensibility to the adjoining bathroom.
Girl's Bedroom
Inspired by the adjectives fun, glamorous, and edgy, Minton chose a vivacious floral print for the girl’s room. Soft lavender
and silvery gray balance the vivacity of the bold fabric, and a parquet-patterned wool carpet adds tailored softness for a
look of refined femininity.
Girl's Bathroom
Calming colors and dainty details makes this girl’s bathroom the perfect place to primp.
Game Room
Whether for parties, playing games, or simply hanging out, Minton sought to create a space that would be well-used. Accordingly,
he selected a durable outdoor fabric for the banquette. Its yellow-and-blue, slightly nautical stripe adds playfulness to
a room rich in antiques.
Guest Suite
Inspired by tiger-stripe and paisley linens, Minton limited himself to a completely neutral scheme of gray, beige, taupe,
and white for the guest suite. “We wanted the drama of no color,” he says. The stenciled pattern on the walls, played down
by the choice of muted tones, gives an exotic but not overpowering feel.
Guest Bathroom
The animal motif carries into the bathroom, with leopard-spot sconce shades adding a playful contrast to the tiger-stripe
walls. A graceful Louis Philippe–style antique mirror balances the modernity of the suite’s design.
